Private Transfer Sigiriya to Kandy: Four Temple & Garden Stops

You pick which temples and gardens to stop at on the drive between towns.

A private air-conditioned transfer from Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana to Kandy that lets you choose stops at Dambulla Cave Temple, an Ayurvedic Herbal and Spice Garden, and Matale Hindu Kovil along the way. The route takes three to four hours depending on which attractions you visit. Pickup from your accommodation and drop-off at your Kandy hotel or any other location are included, along with bottled water and WiFi on board.

The experience

Dambulla Cave Temple sits on the route between your starting point and Kandy, so you can walk through its five chambers carved into the rock face without backtracking. The Golden Buddha Statue inside is the main draw for most visitors. If cave temples don't appeal to you, skip it entirely. The choice is yours before you leave.

The Ayurvedic Herbal and Spice Garden is a working collection of medicinal plants grown in Sri Lanka for centuries. You walk through rows of plants and learn what each one treats, and most visitors spend thirty minutes to an hour there. The Matale Hindu Kovil, a working temple with bright painted walls and carved pillars, is the third optional stop. Both sit naturally on the drive west toward Kandy, so adding them doesn't extend the journey much beyond the three to four hours the transfer itself takes.

Your driver picks you up from your hotel or guesthouse in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana and drives an air-conditioned vehicle the whole way. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and bottled water is provided. WiFi on board means you can stay connected if you need to. Drop-off happens at your Kandy hotel or anywhere else in the city you specify.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup from your accommodation in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana.
• drop-off at your Kandy hotel or any location in the city.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.
• English-speaking driver.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years): free · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Sigiritrip Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this transfer if you want to break up the drive between towns with a stop or two at temples and gardens without renting a car or negotiating with local drivers. You decide which sites to visit and how long to spend at each one, so the route fits your pace rather than a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years): free; Infant (under 4): free.

Can I choose which attractions to stop at, or do I have to visit all of them?

You choose which stops suit your interests before the transfer starts. Dambulla Cave Temple, the Herbal Garden and Matale Hindu Kovil are all optional. You can visit one, two, all three or none of them depending on what you want to see.

What is Dambulla Cave Temple like?

Dambulla Cave Temple is a complex of five caves carved into a rock outcrop, each one containing Buddha statues and murals. The Golden Buddha Statue is the most photographed feature. Most visitors spend forty-five minutes to an hour exploring the chambers and the views from the top.

How long does the whole transfer take?

The transfer takes three to four hours depending on which attractions you choose to visit and how long you spend at each one. If you skip all the stops, it is faster. If you visit all three sites, it will be closer to four hours.

Where do I get picked up and dropped off?

Pickup happens at your accommodation in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana. Drop-off is at your hotel in Kandy or any other location in the city you specify when you book.

Is the vehicle accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, all areas are accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you are traveling with small children.